The task, quest, and journey that precedes the action of this epic poem is Odysseus's joining an expedition to recover Helen, the abducted queen of Sparta. After the task and quest of recovering Helen are accomplished, then Odysseus's task, quest, and journey is to get himself back home to his native land of Ithaca.
Joseph Campbell describes the object of the hero's quest as being an "elixir," something that will provide a life enhancement for the hero or will provide some sort of healing for the hero's community. In Odysseus's case, he himself is the "elixir." By reaching home, Odysseus will heal his community on Ithaca by restoring stability to his own home, which is plagued by the more than 100 suitors who are pestering his wife to marry one of them.
Whereas the task and quest are straightforward (recover Helen and return home), the journey is complicated because Odysseus runs into a number of obstacles on his return voyage. He angers the sea god, Poseidon, by blinding his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus. Poseidon's anger causes Odysseus and his men to be driven off course, and as they try to get back on track, they encounter a number of dangers, such as the Lotus Eaters, the Laestrygonians, Circe, Scylla and Charybdis, and the island of Thrinacia.
Odysseus even has to journey to the ends of the earth and conjure up the spirit of the prophet Teiresias to get guidance on the perils that await him upon his return home. Guidance from such a prophetic figure is common for heroes on the archetypal quest (compare Yoda and Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars saga).
Ultimately, armed with advice from Teiresias, help from the gods (especially Athena), and his own wits, Odysseus will complete the journey home, defeat the suitors, and bring peace to his own house.
Thursday, April 6, 2017
What are the task, quest, and journey archetypes in The Oddysey?
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